By Spencer Spilman
A complete game shutout performance from David Riojas Tuesday lifted the Hays Rebels to a 2-0 win over the Westlake Chaparrals.
Riojas went the distance and allowed just three hits en route to earning the victory.
The game, in Rebel head coach David Null’s words, was ugly. Thanks to the pitching from Riojas and some timely defense, Hays hung on to keep the Chaps off the scoreboard.
Westlake pitcher Diego Cruz equally stood firm, striking out six batters in a complete game performance.
“I thought the kid did a heck of a job,” Null said. “He pitched a heck of a ballgame.”
Hays’ Mike Gonzales began a Rebel rally with a single in the fourth inning. He eventually scored the game’s first run following a sacrifice bunt from Riojas, which was followed by a throwing error.
Hays added an insurance run in the bottom of the sixth inning.
Tyler Wilson got a leadoff walk to start the inning and was followed by Riojas, who blooped a single into right field.
“A little ‘Texas-leaguer’ into right,” Riojas said. “I just tried to put the bat on the ball and put it in play.”
The Rebels loaded up the bases in the inning with no outs. After a strikeout, Trey Dickerson hit a fly ball that was deep enough to score Wilson from third base. But Hays couldn’t capitalize for more runs to end the inning.
But theme of the night was the Rebels’ ability to halt Westlake rallies. Every time Westlake got runners on base and looked like they may score, Riojas and the Rebel defense shut them down to end the threat.
The Chaps came up in their final at bat needing at least two runs to extend the game, but Riojas had his mind set on shutting them out.
He got some help from his right fielder Josh Burnett on the first batter. Burnett got a good jump on a weak pop-up and made an athletic sliding catch for the first out of the inning.
“He made a great play,” Riojas said. “I just tried to put the ball in the strike zone and let my defense behind me make some plays.”
Hays improves to 14-8 on the season, 10-4 in 14-6A play. The Rebels go on the road to play Bowie on Friday before hosting Akins on Tuesday in the regular season finale.
